In this episode of Singing Teachers Talk, Alexa is joined by vocal performance coach Juliet Russell for a rich conversation about identity, artistry, and contemporary vocal training. Juliet shares how she helps singers identify and trust what makes them unique, evolve their voices alongside life and experience, and connect more deeply with audiences — drawing on her work across major TV formats as well as her one-to-one coaching with artists. We explore how to make vocal exercises more musical and stylistically relevant, how voice science can be translated into practical studio tools, and what Juliet sees as key pillars of contemporary vocal training for singing teachers today. The episode also dives into Juliet’s new app Do Your Sing, a contemporary training toolkit designed to support singers with creative, performance-led vocal development. A thoughtful, inspiring listen for singing teachers, coaches, and artists navigating modern voice work.
WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?
1:44 What is the inspiration and drive in Juliet’s vocal work?
2:19 How to help an artist identify what makes them unique
15:18 TV shows and the artist
17:54 What do artists tend to overlook about their craft?
20:43 What is ‘talent’ and what can be learned?
24:08 The difference between a singing teacher, vocal coach and performance coach
30:08 Translating voice science in the studio
34:18 Contemporary teaching tools
53:22 Juliet’s Do Your Sing! App
1:04:10 Parting advice to contemporary singers and singing teachers
RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS
Artists: Sabrina Carpenter; Lady Gaga; Beyonce; Raye; Andre 3000 & Jack White; Cynthia Erivo; Ariana Grande; Sam Smith; Kim Petras; Christina Aguilera; Rosalia; Alex Warren; Bruno Mars; Scissor; Benson Boone; Jessie J; Kool and the Gang; Jennifer Hudson; Sir Tom Jones
Singing Teachers Talk – Ep.198 Mastering Singing for Stage, Screen & the Music Industry with Jai Ramage
Singing Teachers Talk – Ep.123 Insights Into TV Vocal Coaching with The Masked Singer’s Jono McNeil
Singing Teachers Talk – Ep.124 Mastering Vocal Style: Licks, Riffs and Runs with Jono McNeil
Singing Teachers Talk – Ep.241 Is Your Pelvic Floor Affecting Your Voice? A Deep Dive with Physiotherapist Emer Tully
Singing Teachers Talk – Ep.242 Understanding Motor Learning: How It Can Help Us Give Better Singing Lessons with Dr Jenevora Williams
Singing Teachers Talk – Ep.169 How to Use Gesture for Better Singing with Heather Baker
ABOUT THE GUEST
Juliet Russell stands as one of the UK’s leading vocal performance coaches, with an exceptional track record with award-winning artists and groundbreaking shows. As a vocal coach and arranger on Netflix’s breakout hit show Building the Band, Juliet helped shape the voices that captivated millions globally. She also coaches on BAFTA winning shows The Voice UK and Michael McIntyre’s Big Show.
POSITIONALITY
My perspective or positionality is as a music creative and coach who specialises in contemporary pop / commercial styles in the music and TV industries. My role is often to help artists and singers achieve exceptional levels of vocal performance in high stakes situations such as live shows, touring, television performances and vocal recording. I also collaborate with emerging artists to develop their vocal, creative and performance choices to support their unique sound and vocal style in a healthy and consistent way. My approach is artist-centred, which recognises the innate knowledge, skills and selfdetermination that the singer already possesses. This closely aligns to how each individual artist wants to work, grow and express themselves. Sustainability through vocal health, creativity through exploration, and artistry through stylistic knowledge and skills development are all integral to my ethos and approaches. Celebrating individuality is too. Underpinning this is my technical knowledge of voice science, voice teaching (pedagogy), vocal anatomy and vocal health. I have been a singing teacher and a vocal coach, now the majority of my coaching work is as a vocal performance coach. I differentiate this because creating impactful, consistent and memorable performances is usually the collaborative goal.
ARTIST CENTRED COACHING
Specialising in artist-centred coaching, her roster of artists includes Brit, Grammy, Emmy, BAFTA, MOBO and MTV Europe award winners. Juliet is passionate about working with emerging artists and works closely with management companies and independents to develop industry ready artists.
THE SCIENCE OF SUCCESS
Armed with dual Masters degrees in Pop Music Performance and Vocal Pedagogy, Juliet has cracked the code of contemporary vocal excellence. Her published research and innovative techniques aren’t just academic theories – the knows exactly how to make it work for each singer’s unique sound, while helping to cultivate new vocal pathways and expressive performance choices.
DO YOUR SING
Her new vocal coaching app launched in December 2025 is a creative vocal toolkit for contemporary singers. Embracing technology to democratise singing knowledge and expertise, Juliet wrote all of the music and exercises on the app.She also drops weekly voice tips on Instagram and now Tik Tok.
CREATIVE COLLABORATION
As Creative Director of Grammy-winning and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legacy artists Kool & The Gang’s global touring show, Juliet demonstrates her exceptional ability to translate vocal expertise into large-scale creative direction. Her choral direction credits include collaborations with Paloma Faith, Gorillaz, alt-J, and Radiohead’s Philip Selway, as well as prestigious projects for the Olympic Torch Project, Greenpeace, Saatchi & Saatchi and Glastonbury Festival, most often with Assemble.
WHY SHE’S DIFFERENT
Juliet is passionate about turning complex voice science into techniques that actually work for real artists and performers who want to develop their understanding and mastery of contemporary pop styling. Her warm, accessible and knowledgeable approach helps singers to feel relaxed, empowered and confident. Juliet encourages vocal performance excellence within a context of vocal health, performance sustainability, emotional communication and stylistic relevance. She is a UWL alumni and former lecturer. She co-wrote the undergraduate programme in Popular Music for Vocaltech, which was accredited by Thames Valley University and the University of West London.
OTHER BITS
Juliet has performed at Glastonbury, the Royal Opera House, internationally and has toured the UK as a solo artist as well as with Sense of Sound. As a young entrepreneur Juliet co-founded the Liverpool based organisation Sense of Sound with 3 other vocalists Jennifer John, Saphena Aziz and Perri Alleyne Hughes which contributed to creating the vibrant singing and choral culture in Liverpool today. Sense of Sound have sung with Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, Paloma Faith, Damon Albarn, Imogen Heap, Jon Bon Jovi and Seal. Juliet also co-founded Salon London, an ideas based big night out and the award winning Also Festival. As an interviewer and event host Juliet has interviewed Master of the King’s Music, composer Errolyn Wallen, Turner prize winning artists Jeremy Deller and Sir Grayson Perry, Elbow’s Guy Garvey, Sir Bob Geldof, psychotherapist Philippa Perry, neuroscientist Catherine Loveday, poet and author Lemn Sissay, broadcaster Mark Radcliffe at festivals including Meltdown, She hosts Grove Is In the Heart – a monthly singing meet up for local people in the heart of Ladbroke Grove. Juliet has worked in singing for lung health and co-authored two published research papers. Juliet has been interviewed on TV and radio as a vocal expert including on The One Show, Radio 4’s Saturday Live, 5 Live and has contributed to articles in publications including The Face.
EARLY DAYS Juliet started leading chorus aged 16 at school and benefitted greatly form a vibrant local music service, which was free to attend. She also sang in church with her sister and her school friend Tina Sofianos, singing in 3 part harmony When in a band aged 15 she wasn’t allowed to sing at Goldsmiths college as it was a school night. Her first record release was with Ibizan legend DJ Alfredo.
